Additionally, HMS Echo is due to arrive in the southern Indian Ocean to assist in the search for the transponder on the black box. She will also play an important role in the search for debris on the sea’s surface and her advanced environmental assessment capability will help to optimise search operations.

The UK government is provide technical assistance and specialist capabilities from across the Ministry of Defence, the Hydrographic Office, Department for Transport and the Met Office.

Four Royal Air Force personnel on secondment to the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force are also actively involved in maritime search operations.